New statistics provide a picture of life in lockdown, as thousands sought canine companionship to get through the isolation and anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The research, released this week by the Kennel Club as part of its #BePuppywise campaign, showed 41% of those who bought a pandemic puppy said the main reason was to have a lockdown companion; 38% said it was because they were at home more; and 27% got their puppy to help them or their family through the difficult lockdown period.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of those who bought a puppy during the pandemic believed lockdown was the perfect time to get a puppy – with three-quarters also stating their dog was the best thing about lockdown.

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at the Kennel Club, said: “Our dogs are certainly helping us through the pandemic, providing a welcome and happy distraction as COVID-19 causes anxiety, suffering and disruption across the nation.

“However, we do have concerns about those puppies which may have been bought on impulse, without owners doing their homework on how or where to get a dog responsibly, or fully realising a puppy is a new family member for life, not a short-term commodity.”

The Kennel Club has produced a ‘litter in lockdown’ video with former Dragons’ Den entrepreneur and KC Assured Breeder, Jenny Campbell, which shows puppy buyers what a responsible breeder looks like, and how to be a responsible new puppy owner during the pandemic.